I somewhat keep a running list of art and graphic designs I have done in a blog I call “Art News”. It started out as some odd news articles for April Fools Day but was an easy place to add in an announcement of what new designs I made. When Twitter came along I could add in all my Tweets. So it is a busy place with a lot of short blog entries but a good place to learn and see a lot of my graphic designs. Whenever I do a new design I add in a picture and link to it and I also add in other older designs as people ask about them. Here is that link- http://oddinthenews.blogspot.com/

The word “Crawfish ” comes from the Cajun French word “escrevisse“. Many places use other names, crayfish, crawdad, mudbug but we here in Louisiana prefer “crawfish”. No matter what it is called it is a favorite food in spring. Boiled Crawfish with corn, potatoes, garlic, sausage and more is served at many family picnic or back yard party. I am told the real scientific name is Astacoidea Cambardae and there are over 300 types in North America alone, a big family even by Cajun standards. The art of boiling them was covered in another blog entry but it is easy just get any of the boiling spice packages from Rex or Zatarain’s and follow the directions. To make it real fancy people add in corn on the cob, and other veggies that boil well, even artichokes. Whatever you like add in the boiling water and have friends over.

One time I even wrote a fable about a Cajun Mermaid, part crawfish part woman on how the first Cajun ate the beautiful red swamp crawfish.

Kids clothing is expensive and most kids wear things a month and it is too small. Cool Kids T-Shirts are an easy to get and great for what a child to wear. Inexpensive, fashionable, and can be personalized for your child. Stop in and see the many designs and ask them to make a shirt especially for your child. Cool Kids Clothing at Fig Street Art Studio from New Orleans artists to your child. Cool Kids Clothing

Mardi Gras celebrated in Europe for ages was brought to the USA by French and Spanish colonists, the first parade was in Mobile, Alabama, but later New Orleans celebrated Mardi Gras on a bigger scale. The current tradition people and families mask or costume in various styles and manners and walk around celebrating the last day before Lent. Fat Tuesday as it is called at times because no more meat to Easter. Children love to dress up for Mardi Gras and over the years we at Fig Street Studio have designed several comical shirts and sweatshirts for infants and kids of all ages see http://www.cafepress.com/figstreetstudio/397084 for the many images found on shirts for Mardi Gras and especially the children’s designs, add a mask and you are all set for Mardi Gras.

I am always asked about the Nutria having played many days in the Louisiana Swamps and cooked a few at a little swamp cafe. Back then as a lark I did a t shirt design with a cartoon face of a mean looking Nutria that said “Save The Nutria” but changed it to “‘Eat Me, Save The Marsh.” Seems people are afraid of the little critters that I found on my forrays into the swamp to be timid and cute. As with most swamp animals cleaning them is a mess but not as bad as the 50 turtles I caught once. Turtle meat is sought by local Chefs, not Nutria. Yet Nutria can be used in several Creole receipes. I have suggested changing the name on Menus to Coypu and trying the meat in an Asian stir fry but all my suggestions seem to fall away. Below is a home based receipe used in a crock pot or on the stove to then served on rice or noodles. When we did this at the cafe it was with frozen meat caught and dressed right there. At times trappers would give away the carcuss wanting only the hide. Try it if you can find the frozen meat in a store.

Coypu Crock Pot

About 2 cups Coypu dressed meat sometimes found in freezer at local stores.

The Creole Trinity of chopped onion, bell pepper, and celery, half a cup in equal portions.

Can of cut up tomatoes, or used the pre flavored diced ones, you pick the flavor.

Cut up carrots, about half a cup.

Cup of your favorite wine

Can of Chicken or beef broth

Clove of garlic, chopped

Pinch of salt and pepper.

Wilt the Creole Trinity in pan then add and brown meat. Place the items in a crock pot and cook almost 2 hours to the meat is tender. Serve warm over rice or noodles with your favorite hot sauce and crusty French bread and butter. At the Cafe seems the patrons preferred egg noodles but I did not know why. To vary I have added additional local grown vegetables like Broccoli Rab or Cabbage.